The 30th State Senate District challenger Michael Renzullo is unafraid of his place as the underdog.

The 35-year-old Winsted resident and Democratic member of the Winchester Board of Selectmen said he embraces challenge and believes he can bring a fresh perspective to a state government that needs to change how it does business. He is challenging four-term Republican incumbent Andrew Roraback of Goshen.

To lift the state out of its economic mire, Renzullo favors investing in renewable energy projects he believes will help the economy rebound because it will save dollars that can be used to improve roads, provide affordable housing, education and health care to all its citizens.

"Get the energy situation under control and everything else is possible,'' Renzullo said.

The former president of a company that designed and built "green'' homes who now works for American Solar Roof believes new energy initiatives are imperative to the state's economy. He, too, favors investment in stem cell research companies. Such projects will generate the dollars so government need not slash critical social service programs, he said.

If elected, Renzullo said he would urge that each town in Connecticut create an independent energy commission.

"We can't just be like a deer in the headlights waiting for something to happen,'' Renzullo said.

For too long, Renzullo said state government has worked with a Band-Aid approach to addressing its financial shortfalls. He said he sees himself as a problem solver.

One of his other focuses will be on finding a way to ensure health care for all state citizens.

He said he sees health care coverage not as a "privilege, but a right.''

Renzullo admits there is no "magic bullet'' for the state's financial crisis but believe it is critical to begin immediately finding a way out so that all the state's citizens can enjoy their piece of prosperity.

In the Senate, Renzullo promised to be a champion for the middle class.

As for why he embraces such public service, Renzullo said he believes everyone has an obligation to "get off the couch and volunteer time and effort'' to at least try and effect change.